Today, I was blessed to hear an awesome sermon on Mark 9:14-32, in which my pastor pulled out many beautiful truths about Christ's power and deity and the continued lack of faith shown in the disciples.  I will not use this blog to go over all the points he made in his sermon, though they were all awesome.  Hopefully this sermon, which I would recommend, will eventually be available on the church website at the following link: http://provcommunity.org/pages/htmlos/00958.3.1613955208332642443/providence/resources.html-
RESOURCES-SERMONS-?

As I was combing through the passage last night in preparation for this morning's sermon, God illumined 2 details that transformed the text for me.  They were rather simple points that many would have noticed perhaps on a first read, but I'm a little slow sometimes so you'll have to forgive me. I was blessed by studying through this passage last night and pray that you will be blessed as well as you read this blog.

(Please keep in mind, I don't claim to be an authority on Scripture.  I don't have a seminary education and I've never heard anyone else say some of the things I'm about to write.  Please don't think I'm being dogmatic or insisting that what I'm saying is absolutely correct.  I just want to share what God showed me as I studied the text, while always being totally accountable to my brethren and open to any commentary someone may want to offer if I've suggested anything erroneous.) 

    1. In v. 20, the demon inside the boy, once he set his eyes on Christ, immediately fell to the ground, rolling around and convulsing - foaming at the mouth.  What jumped out here was the demon's quick move into a position of submission to the authority of Christ, even though he rolled about and thrashed to show his hatred of Jesus' control over him, he did immediately fall to the ground taking a low place in the presence of the Holy God of the Universe.  Truly, all demons and even the devil himself are aware of the Lordship of Christ.  They know He is God and they are scared.  They rightly fear the Lord, yet do so while hating His righteousness, purity, holiness, mercy, compassion, etc.  They recognize Him, fear Him, know His power over them, but hate Him all the while.

"You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder."  James 2:19

    2. In v. 25, Jesus called the spirit "you deaf and mute spirit".  I wonder if this had anything to do with why the disciples were unable to cast out this demon?  Sounds wierd, but bear with me for a minute.  Throughout the disciples' walk with Jesus, did they not cast out many demons in the name of Christ, by His power?  Certainly there were instances where they commanded demons to come out and the demons obeyed.  In fact, Mark 6:12-13 says, "They (disciples) went out and preached that men should repent.  And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them."   So, it doesn't seem to be that the disciples suddenly lost their gift or God-given ability to cast out demons. It may have been that they lost their focus and tried to cast out this demon in their own strength.  This is very possible.  But, it seems to me that this particular demon was somehow different than all the rest of the evil spirits the disciples had encountered in the past.  Just how was this spirit different?  I think the answer to this question is in Jesus' statement in v. 29.  He says, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."  Well, what kind of demon was it? 

In v. 25, Jesus called it  "you mute and deaf spirit".  We know from reading through the entire passage that the father of the boy in v. 17 alluded to the fact that the demon "made his son mute".  Note, the boy was not mute, the demon was making him so.  However, Jesus knew, because He's God, that this spirit was also deaf.  So, could this "mute and deaf spirit" hear the disciples' commands to leave the boy, even if they were commanding it in the name of Jesus?  My guess is, no.  I'd suggest that Jesus' command to the spirit completely transcended the language barrier because He alone has the unique ability to speak things into being!  We know that Jesus spoke and the foundations of the world were laid.  Truly we see throughout Scripture that Jesus is not bound by language, audability, or comprehension.  Jesus just makes things happen.  Humans, and apparently spirits, are however bound thus - completely limited to communication by means of intelligible words and sounds, which would be completely useless if speaking to a deaf and mute being, whether human or spirit. 

Though Christ's disciples were given the gift of healing and casting out demons, there were some limits to their abilities.  They healed and exorcised in the name of God, but were not God themselves. They were not able to transcend this communication barrier with the "deaf and mute spirit".  Jesus' instruction in v. 29 tells them that in this instance, with this kind of demon, they needed to pray to Him so that He could "give the command" that would transcend the barrier they were up against.  "He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.'" Mark 9:25b  "Praying", on the part of the disciples, would have been as effective as as "bringing the boy to Jesus" as referenced in v. 19. 

Prince - a ruler, a main ruler, a member of the highest aristocracy, the head of a principality, the son of a sovereign, a king.

This is a condensed version of the study God has laid on my heart for this month's Ladies' Night.  Before moving on in this blog, please take a few moments and read through Ezekial 45:1 - 46:18.  You will need your Bible close by for reference as you move through this study.  If you don't have a Bible handy, try opening a new window and going to www.Biblos.com so you can read the Scripture as we go...otherwise, most of what I'm going to say won't make much sense.  :o) I pray that through this study God's glory will be manifested and the name of Christ, our Prince, be glorified as I share what He has taught me in studying these verses.  This study has been a huge blessing to me and I pray it will be for you as well.  Please comment if you have any insight to share.  I love and cherish every opportunity to learn from my brethren. :o)

Throughout this text in Ezekial, God paints a beautiful picture of Christ as the Prince.  Before we dive in, I'd like to point out a few other places in the Scriptures where Jesus is called a Prince. In Isaiah 9:6, He is called the Prince of Peace.  In Daniel 9:25, He is called Messiah the Prince.  And, in Acts 3:15 He is called the Prince of Life.  As we study through these verses in Ezekial, all the references to the Prince will gloriously point to Jesus Christ, the Perfect and Holy Provider of the all-sufficient sacrifice.

In 45:1-16, we see God's command to Israel to divide the land, allotting a specific portion for the Lord's sanctuary, specific portions to the Prince - which were to flank the holy portion on either side, and then individual portions to each tribe according to their inheritance.  This notion of the Prince's portion flanking that of the sanctuary speaks to my heart of the way Christ surrounds and inhabits our worship.  When we are gathered for worship, the body of Christ is assembled and He is there inhabiting our prayers and praises.  After announcing that the Prince will have His portion, God declares that the worldly princes will no longer be able to oppress His people.  He tells them He has had enough of their violence and destruction, and He calls them to righteousness and justice. (vs. 8-9)   Then, the standard weights having been lost during the Chaldean's destruction of the temple, God commands that Israel once again adopt accurate measurement standards, not only to ensure fair trade, but so that their sacrifices to God will be measured properly and as commanded.  

In 45:17, the Prince provides the sacrifice for Himself and for Israel's atonement.  The theme of the Prince providing is prevalent throughout these two chapters, being mentioned 11 times!  For whom did the Prince offer up a sacrifice? In what way did Jesus provide a sacrifice for Himself and for Israel?  In other words, for whom did Jesus lay down His life?  Well, typically we think of His sacrifice being sheerly for the elect and their redemption.  However, Jesus laid down His life for more than just the elect of God.  We learn in Isaiah 53:10-12 that He died for the Father, that through faithful obedience He might satisfy His wrath against sin in regard to the elect.  In 1 Peter 3:18, we learn that Jesus died that He would, by His sacrifice, bring to the Father those He'd selected for redemption before the foundations of the world were laid.  Phil. 2:9 and Heb. 10:12 show us that Jesus died for Himself, that He would receive the glory due His name and and be assigned that exalted place at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  In Matt. 5:17, we see that Jesus died for the sake of the Word, for fulfillment of prophecy in both the Law and the Prophets.  1 Tim. 2:5-6, 1 John 2:1-2,  and Rev. 5:9-10 teach that Jesus died for the elect, in order to purchase for God with His blood men from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. 

Was there a difference between the offering Israel gave to the Prince in 45:13-16 and the offering the Prince gave for Israel in 45:17?  Certainly there was.  The people of Israel gave offerings to honor the Prince.  This is not explicit in the text, but can be deduced from the context and the contrast made in v. 17 to the reasoning for the Prince's offering, which was for the atonement of Israel.  The Prince was not in need of atonement, but was worthy of sacrifices.  Today, we offer up sacrifices of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God on a daily basis (which we will touch on again later), but we rest in the sacrifice of Christ, made once and for all that His people may be brought to God. 

In 46:5, there is reference to the Prince giving "as much as He is able to give".  This speaks to me of the depth and breadth of Jesus' sacrifice.  Did He not give "as much as He was able to give"?  Certainly He, the Creator of all that is, left behind the glory of heaven for a time, came to earth and put on flesh that He Himself knitted together inside the womb of His virgin mother.  He walked on the sin-ridden earth for some 33 years, suffered unspeakable tortures and died a shameful and painful death on a Roman cross.  Yes, I'd say He gave up "all He was able to give."  Glory to Him who was slain but is risen!

What differences do we see, in 46:8-9, between the way the Prince enters/exits the sanctuary and the way Israel enters/exits the same?  The Prince enters and exits by the same doorway.  Jesus, because He is perfectly holy and unchanging, comes into the presence of His Father the same way He leaves, namely spotless and blameless.  Israel, on the other hand, comes in one way and leaves another.  The people of God come into His presence struggling with sin and focused on self, but leave changed, more like Christ, who's blood covers them and gives them passage into the King's court.  The people of God are continually sanctified through communion with God, whether it be in fellowship with believers, study of the Scriptures, worship through prayer and supplication, or quiet meditation  --  and therefore leave a different way than they entered.  Glory be to God!

In 46:10, there is reference to the Prince dwelling among Israel as they come into the sanctuary for worship, and then going out with them as they leave.  This certainly points to Christ as we know from Matthew 18:20 that when two or three are gathered in His name, He is there among them.  We also know from Matthew 28:18-20 that He is with them as they leave the sanctuary and go out into the world to make disciples.  He promised to be with them, even to the end of the age!  Glory!

Israel was instructed in 46:13-14 to provide daily offerings, morning by morning, continually by perpetual ordinance.  By God's mercy, according to Romans 12:1, we are to offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual service of worship.  We are also, in accordance with 1 Thess. 5:16-18, to continually rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God, for this is His will for us.  Psalm 150 admonishes us to praise God in corporate worship and anywhere we are in creation, which is all the time!  We are to praise Him for His might, His deeds, His greatness.  We are to praise Him with all sorts of music and noises.  Indeed everything that breathes is to praise God!  Psalm 118 tells us to offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving for God's lovingkindness, which is unending and unfathomable.  And, Psalm 116:12-17 encourages us to respond to God's abundant grace toward us by lifting our cup and asking Him to give us more.  Yes, we are to give many sacrifices to our God daily, morning by morning, continually.

The permanence of Christ's gift of salvation to the elect is referenced in 46:16 and 18 when Ezekial writes about the permanence of the Prince's gifts to Israel.  When Jesus saves one of His own, they become a son of God and eternal life is their inheritance. Their inheritance is reserved in heaven and they themselves are protected by God's power to ensure they obtain their what has been promised to them.  Some texts to support this can be found in Col. 1:12-13, Acts 20:32, 1 Peter 1:3-5. 

Finally, in 46:17, there is reference to the fact that the Prince sometimes gives gifts to people who are His servants, yet not heirs. In these cases, the gifts have to be returned.  There are examples in the Scriptures where God gives gifts to men that they may accomplish a purpose ordained by God.  Once the purpose is fulfilled, the gifts are taken away.  Two prominent examples are King Saul and Judas Iscariot.  In 1 Sam. 10:9-11, King Saul's heart was changed so that he prophesied among the prophets, but later in 1 Sam. 16:14, the Spirit left Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit from God for the rest of his life on earth.  Judas Iscariot was chosen by Christ as an apostle, yet he was a devil all along according to John 6:70.  God certainly gave Judas gifts as he walked with Jesus and the other apostles for several years preaching the gospel and probably even healing the sick.  However, at the end, he proved his unfaithfulness, he betrayed the Son of Man, his gifts were given back, and his soul went to hell. 

What are some of the life applications we can draw from this text for our daily walk with Christ?
    1. We as the Israel of God are lead by the Prince who provided all sacrifice needed for our atonement.  He indeed said, "It is finished."  (John 19:30)
    2. The Prince is among us when we gather to worship.  The Prince declares what will and will not happen to His people.
    3. The Prince sacrificed His life for the Father, for Himself, for the Word and its fulfillment, and for the elect and their redemption.
    4. The Prince enters holy and leaves holy..He never changes.  (Heb. 13:8)
    5.  Israel never leaves the presence of God the same way they entered.  We as the people of God are changed by His presence and communion with Him.
    6. We as Israel are to daily and continually offer up sacrifices to God and in honor of the Prince. 
    7. When God gives the gift of salvation to His people, they are then sons and guaranteed the inheritance of the saints.  God never breaks His promises. 
    8. God sometimes gives gifts to pagans to accomplish His purposes.  But, they are not heirs, so are not promised a portion of the inheritance.  Therefore, their gifts will one day be given back to God. 
    9.  One day, brothers and sisters in Christ, our Prince will come!  How we long for that day when we can bow before Him face to face!

Colossians 3:12-14 (New American Standard Bible)

My son and I began memorizing Colossians 3:12-17 today.  This passage has been heavy on my heart  for several weeks now as my church family struggles to find unity among its members.  It struck me today how foreign these Christian characteristics are to us --- compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.  They are so foreign that we must put them on as we put on our clothing. 

Clothing is put on to cover up nakedness, which became shameful at the fall of Adam.  Animals had to be killed in order to make the clothing that covered up Adam and Eve's shame.  Just so, Christ had to die and be raised in order for us to "put on His righteousness" and cover our shame, which is our wicked natural hearts.  Praise be to God for the obedience of Christ and for the sufficiency of His sacrifice on our behalf that we may be covered by Him and in Him.

So, the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love spoken of in Colossians 3 must be put on.  The sinfulness of our natural man must be covered up with the white robe of Christ's righteousness.  Jesus must dress us, clothe us, cover us.  Unity only comes when natural man is covered up in Christ!  As long as selfishness, deceit, unforgiveness, anger, strife, dissensions, malice, envy, jealousy, and the like are showing - there will be continual disharmony and disunity.  

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved", we still have plenty of undesirable natural traits that are shameful and need covering.  By the power, mercy, and grace of God and through the instruction of His Word, we must "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  We must be forgiving toward one another as God has been toward us.  Then, above and beyond that, we must "put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity". 

We are unified in Christ's love for us as His people.  We are unified in the fact that we are shameful at our core and must put on love (or have it put on us) from outside of ourselves - from God Himself.  We are unified in God's Word and in obedience when our hearts, by his grace, are yielded to His commands.  And, we are unified in the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and gives us the desire to dwell in unity with one another.

May we as the family of God be steeped in His Word, be thankful for His sacrifice, be clothed in His righteousness, and be ever shining forth the love that brings forth blessed unity for His great Name's sake!

The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these. "Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it. "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? "Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?'" (Isaiah 45:7-10)

Today is the third day I've been resting, waiting for my back pain to subside so I can carry on with "normal" life activities.  Two days before that, I went about necessary chores and appointments with severe agony in each step and movement.  Why such pain in such a young body?  Why such depressing diagnoses and such dooming predictions for my physical future?  Is it all hopeless?  Is it all for nothing?  Can God really be glorified in me when I can't do anything but lie here feeling useless?  Am I going to live the rest of my physical life feeling worthless because I'm incapable of doing 'normal' tasks?  Will I ever have another day in this life without pain in one or more parts of my body?  Am I being disciplined for misplaced trust...thinking my only hope was in a doctor with a fancy machine?  These are some of the thoughts that have been plaguing my mind as of late. 

Today, God brought encouragement through the preaching of a gentleman named Paul Washer.  I was home from church, sad about not being able to worship with my usual church family, and Mr. Washer talked about how God uses unfavorable circumstances, and even ordains severely painful difficulties in the lives of Christians in order to conform them to the image of His holy Son.  God doesn't bring about deep heart changes in a person by making their life a bowl of cherries while they're on earth.  God doesn't bring about holiness in a person by keeping them 'happy' and 'comfortable' according to the world's standards.  God uses trial, pain, suffering, personal loss, and grief to bring about the changes necessary in our hearts and minds, that we may more aptly reflect the image of Him who died for us.  God brings both peace and calamity.  He can be the bringer of bliss and suffering.  He has good purposes for both. 

I know that God has good purposes for the degeneration of my intervertebral disks, herniations and bulges, the arthritis that is slowly crippling my spine, the tumor growing there that could possibly cause paralysis someday...all of it.  There is no need for my mind to race and jump to conclusions.  God is in control!  God has His divine reasons for bringing it all to pass.  Am I to grumble against my holy and perfect Father?  Am I to look at my situation through worldly glasses and feel despondent and hopeless?  Am I to rest in seeking worldly wisdom for ways to "solve" my "problems"? 

I'm thinking not.  My God has brought about this pain for the holy purpose of conforming me to the image of Christ.  God promises me in His Word that He has purposed to do just that.  He says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren..."  (Romans 8:28-29)  God is causing all things in my life, whether they be pleasant or painful, to work together for my good and to conform me to the image of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Who knows how long this painful trial may last?  It's lasted 18 years so far and is growing worse with each passing month.  Maybe God will heal me.  Maybe He'll ordain that it gets worse.  The peace of Christ comes from knowing Him who controls what comes in my life and that He has good purposes and plans for all of it.  The pain in this fleshly body is completely controlled by the hand of Almighty God.  I can trust Him to give me exactly what I need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I can rest there.

So, though it be difficult at times for my flesh to endure, I thank God for all the difficulties and pains He has brought over the years, knowing that in the long run, they work to my benefit...making me more like His Son.  I pray that He will encourage my heart to embrace what He gives me and to fervently seek for Him to be glorified in my thoughts and attitude during painful times.  And, though God may sometimes use doctors to bring relief and healing to physical bodies, may I never put my trust and hope in any man, but in God alone.  If relief or healing comes, may my thanks and praise be directed only to the Great Physician Himself, who alone is God.

Have you ever been in a position where you know Christ is real, you know He has worked a miracle in your life and saved you from your sin, you see Him working all around you in amazing ways, yet you are not able to process your thoughts well enough to tell people about it?  Well, that's where I am right now.  I have not written a blog here in ages because I'm struggling with spiritual depression.  God pulls me into His Word daily and He shows me more of His glory each minute.  He gives me eyes to see His hand in things that others may ignore or reject.  He assures me through His Word that He is never going to leave or forsake me.  He comforts me when my soul is downtrodden and feeds me from His banquet table a feast of Biblical truths.  Why can I not write?  There have been many days over the past months that I have gotten so excited about my studies that I wanted to write about what God had shown me.  I sat down and no words came. I had not the strength or ability to do it. 

So, here I am, waiting upon the Lord.  He will surely bring me shouting with joy to the other side of this slump, however long and deep it may be.  If you are my brother or sister in Christ, please pray for me.

Today, God simply 'WOWed' me with a statement in the Psalms.  It wasn't a statement of a new concept.  It was actually a truth I have been acquainted with and have grown to love and adore over the past 4 years or so.  But, in this text it was so beautifully expressed ... worded in such a way that it just penetrated my mind and made me stop reading.  I had to just say, "WOW, God!  You are so AWESOME!!!"

"Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.  They (God's Word and the earth) stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants."  (Psalm 119:89-91)

Everything that has ever been created is God's servant!  Whether it be human, angellic, demonic, inanimate ... all have been created to serve Him!   

We know that it says in Philippians 2:9-11 that "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 

Absolutely everything and everyone serves God, whether willingly or unwillingly.  The devil and unbelievers are unwilling and hateful slaves.  Unbelievers serve Satan, though most are unaware of that fact, and Satan is under complete but unwilling subjection to his Master - GOD.  The devil serves God and hates every second.  He not only hates the service but hates his Master.  Unbelievers are really in the same position.  They "kick at the goads", so to speak.  They do exactly what God has ordained for them to do from before the foundation of the world.  They may think they are in control, but God, whom they hate, is clearly orchestrating all things after the counsel of His will. 

In stark contrast to these unwilling slaves, the angels and believers serve God and are deeply desirous to do so, seeking to please God and to honor His holiness with every thought and action.  Believers, being redeemed by Christ's sacrifice, are humbled by the forgiveness they receive and serve in that humility with their hearts glad before the God they worship.

I'm praising God right now that He makes me glad to serve Him.  I pray that He is glorified in my service and that He continually makes my heart's motivations to be pure before Him.  May my service to Him never be feigned or empty. 

Praise God that we, as believers, can rejoice in the sovereignty of our God who subjects all things to Himself and calls all things His servants! 

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."  (Romans 11:36)

(36) And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.  (37) And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.  (38) But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.  (39) And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.' "   [Luke 5:36-39]

I've pondered over this passage for years now and prayed that the Lord would show me something to make sense of this.   What in the world does this mean?  Before, I always tried to make sense of the entire parable as one piece, but I think there are a few truths tucked in here that can be pulled out individually.  Then, maybe it will make sense as a whole.  Let's take it apart one verse at a time.

(36) And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 

Jesus talks about sewing a patch on a piece of cloth.  From what I understand of cloth, once washed, it takes a new shape and loses a bit of its original color.  Once washed many times, it will eventually stop changing shape and size, but its color will continually fade with age.  So, if I were to sew a patch of new cloth on an old garment, the new would shrink and its color would begin to change after just the first washing.  Of course, the old garment would be already faded and shrunken from many washings.  The result would be a tearing away of the stitching between the patch and the garment.  Besides, the colors of the cloths would never likely match because the old garment has a head start on fading.  The two are different colors.

Likewise, characteristics of Christ cannot be placed upon an unregenerate man because the Holy Spirit would cause growth and change, tearing away from the old man.  A huge rift would be the result.  The two cannot be be sewn together.  Besides, they don't match.  There is no similarity in the appearance of the characteristics of the Spirit-filled man and the unregenerate man.  One is light, the other deeply dark.  Christlikeness must be placed on a changed, renewed man, who has been given a soft and supple heart, able to grow and change with the movement of the Holy Spirit.

(37) And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.  (38) But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 

Wineskins, when new, are soft and supple leather -- able to accomodate the expanding gases emitted by the fermentation process.  Old wineskins, however, are brittle and hardened with time, not able to handle this expansion.  They would break if filled with new wine. 

Likewise, the old, dry, hard, brittle heart of unregenerate man is not able to handle the Holy Spirit coming in.  The Spirit comes in and cleans house, making radical changes in thought, word, deed, and desire.  He would burst the brittle unregenerate heart.  The Holy Spirit must move into a heart that he has been renewed, changed, made supple and soft, is ready for growth and change, and is able to accomodate expansion in love, compassion, and desire for the things of God.  The "new wine" of the Holy Spirit must be placed into "new wineskins", or a new heart.

(39) And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.

Those accustomed to old wine, who have never tasted the new, are satisfied with what they have.  They have no desire for new wine because they don't even realize theirs is old and undesirable.  They are drinking what they are accustomed to, all they have, all they know ... the old wine.

Likewise, unregenerate man has never tasted the newness of life in Christ.  He knows nothing of it and has no desire to obtain it. He is satisfied with his sinful self and believes it is enough.  He has no idea his life and heart are bad or undesirable.

Praise God that He gives us new "patches" or desires, to sew onto new "garments" or our new, regenerated man.  He changes us from dark to light so that we match Him through the regeneration and sanctification processes.  Praise God that He gives us supple hearts (wineskins), into which to pour Himself (the new wine), so that we do not burst when He begins to change and grow us in the grace and knowledge of Christ!  Thank God that He does not leave us in that state of being satisfied with the old wine, for without the Holy Spirit's work, we would surely be drinking it now!

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  (Colossians 3:17)

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."  (Colossians 3:23-24)

Yesterday I met with my sisters Donna, Kiana, and Katy to minister to our friends, Julie & John.  We've been meeting with them for 2 months now, sharing Christ and teaching them from the Scriptures.  It has been a joyous and special time between us and the Lord as He's empowered us to overcome a steep language barrier to proclaim the glories of God to these beloved people.    Normally, we meet at the food court in our local mall for a 2-3 hour study.  We've been going through the gospel of Matthew and it has been an amazing trip through the first 6 chapters.  God has blessed us with a wonderful Bible that has both our languages side by side.  What an amazing gift and tool He has given us.

This meeting was a little different.  Our friends had to work, so we went to their workplace, which happens to be a Chinese restaurant.  We  had a wonderful lunch and sweet time with Julie as she served our table.  Her husband made us sushi -- I actually ate raw eel!  I may never do that again, but the joy on his face when he made it for me and handed me the plate was beautiful.  They love serving us.  It's not a job to them.  I was touched by their love toward us even as they did their work.  Needless to say, as they worked, it was difficult to get much focused time to talk and discuss the Scriptures.  We had little snips of time here and there, until the Lord brought the greatest opportunity!

Julie said, "I have to break beans, then I have one hour break."  So, before I even realized what was happening, the Lord moved my mouth to say, "We'll work with you!"  Minutes later, all of us went into this big room and sat around a huge table filled with about 5,000 fresh grean beans.  There were 4 of Julie's co-workers, only one of which spoke any English, and all of us, gathered around breaking beans together.  It was a grand time filled with the beautiful sound of Chinese words that we couldn't even understand, smiles and laughs, hugs, and of course, the sharing of the gospel of Christ.   It turned out that Julie had already been talking about Jesus to her friends, so they were somewhat familiar with "Yesu" (Jesus).  We were able to leave them all with Gospels of John in their language and leave with our hearts overflowing with so much joy in being able to serve them this way.  I asked them if a customer had ever broken beans with them before.  Ken said, "No. First time.  First time."   It was a unique but beautiful opportunity.  You never know how God will open a door or what the door will look like.  Maybe it will look like a huge pile of green beans!

May we always have eyes to see and obedient hearts to jump through the doors running with the love of Christ.  I've missed countless doors of opportunity in my walk with Christ.  I pray He'd shove me through doors if that's what it takes for my stubborn flesh to do His will.

As our Chinese friends taught us to say.  "Sia Sia Yesu"  Thank You, Jesus!"

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."  (1 John 4:7-8)

I was reading through 1 John 4 yesterday and just thinking ... is there any middle ground between love and hate?  We know that if someone does not love God, then they are a hater of God -- His enemy.  His wrath is upon them.  So, what about love in reference to people?  If we don't love people, do we hate them?  I think so.  I don't think there's any fence-riding when it comes to God's commands.  If we fail to love someone, or a group of people,  then I believe we hate them, and thereby sin gravely against God. 

If I love God with all my heart, mind, body, and soul, is it possible for long-standing hatred to live in my heart?  Is it possible to "practice enmity"?  This question is difficult to chew on but an important one to ponder.  There are so many Christ-claimers walking among us who feel bitter, hateful feelings toward a person -- or maybe a number of persons.  As Christians, we should be constantly testing ourselves to see if we are of the faith.  We should evaluate our walk to ensure it is consistent with what we claim to be and believe.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kindgom of God."  (Galatians 5:19-21)

In the past, when reading this passage in Galatians, I always focused more on the outward sins, especially the immorality.  I sort of skipped over the "enmities".  What exactly is enmity anyway?  

        Enmity - deep-seated hatred, animosity, hostility, antagonism, antipathy, ill will toward someone. 
                    (American Heritage Dictionary)

Okay, there it is!  Enmity is the polar opposite of love!  If we don't love God, we are at enmity with Him.  If we don't love a person, we have enmity toward them.  Christian, is this okay?  Does this bring pleasure and glory to Christ?  Does this show others the Spirit of Christ living within us?  Of course not! 

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions."  (Proverbs 10:12)

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  (Matthew 5:43-44)

It is absolutely not okay for me to harbor ill feelings toward someone, which amounts to hating them.  It's one thing if I simply feel them, recognize they are sinful, repent, and walk on.  While a grave sin against God, this is not "walking in" or "practicing" hatred toward someone.  But, if I walk in the hatred, if I "practice" it, if I continually have hateful thoughts, hateful words, hateful looks and general animosity toward anyone, then the Scriptures say I don't belong to God!  Now, that is scary, sister!!!  That will make you fall on your face before a Holy God, brother!!!

What if I am thinking to myself, 'They're not saved.  God hates the unregenerate, so why can't I?"  I need to tell myself, "You're not God, honey!  God hates the reprobate because He's holy! He's God!  He has the right!  He made them!  He decided to keep their eyes closed to the truth!  He has good purpose for His hatred!  You don't!  You're not holy!  You have no right to hate them because you're just as sinful and wretched as they are!  You don't stand above them in any way whatsoever!"


As a Christian, what can I then hate?  Well, here are a few things permitted by Scripture...
        1. Evil  "Hate evil, love good, and establish justice at the gate!  Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."  (Amos 5:15)
        2.  False ways   "From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."  (Psalm 119:104)
        3. Anything in life that steals our affections away from Christ, our ultimate and only treasure!  "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal."  (John 12:25)

So, friend, who do you hate?  Better yet, who do you "not love"?  Evaluate your heart and search whether you stand in the grave sin of practicing enmity toward someone, which labels you as one whom the Scriptures say won't inherit the kindgom of God!  Beg the Lord for forgiveness. Repent before Him.  Go to the one you hate and repent before them.  It's likely they know you have animosity toward them and are wondering why your hateful attitude and actions don't jive with your claim to love and serve Christ.  Be truthful with yourself, because God already knows!  Lying to yourself about the hate in your heart makes you guilty of a double sin!  "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool." (Proverbs 10:18)   [Just in case anyone was thinking it, this passage doesn't mean hate openly and behave as horribly toward people as you desire to in your heart.  If God hasn't granted me the ability to love certain people from my heart, I am still responsible for my behavior toward them, which should be always God-honoring and Christ-exalting. If we don't have love for people, we should show them the love Christ has shown to us...His love.]

"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."  (1 John 4:16)

Christians, may God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, grant us the ability to love all people from the heart, while we have a special brotherly love toward the saints.  May He grant us repentance for any hatred we have harbored in our hearts toward anyone.  If we stand in the condition of having "practiced" the sin of hatred, may God grant us repentance and faith, saving our wretched souls!  May the Lord break down pride, which is the root of our "lack of love" for others-- driven by our sinful minds exalting SELF over another person, which we do for a number of reasons.  May God be supremely magnified by our thoughts and actions toward those made in His image, which is all people.  May there be unity between our walk and talk.  May we Christians live in submission to the Scriptures we claim to treasure so deeply.

"For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another."  (Titus 3:3)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." (Galations 5:22)

It has been a really long time since I've written a blog.  This won't be my typical Scripture study blog.  I want to ask all of you to pray for my brother (B.H.) who is in missions in China.  He has been there for 4 weeks and has 2 more to go.  Please pray that God would strengthen and embolden him to speak the truth of Christ in the face of much danger and opposition.  Pray that his heart and mind would be undistracted and focused on the task at hand, which is to preach the beautiful gospel of Christ.  Pray that God would prepare the hearts of those to whom he would witness that they may respond to the message in repentance and faith.  Pray that he would do all that God has sent him there to do with a joyfully willing heart, regardless of risk or endangerment of persecution. 

Also, please pray for my two friends, F.J. and J.Q.  God is working in their hearts and giving them a thirst for the Scriptures.  There is much challenge in ministering to them as we struggle with the language barrier.  But, praise God that He puts the truth into our hearts and enables us to understand the Scriptures.  It's not about eloquent delivery or convincing speech.  It's about people hearing and reading the Word of God and their hearts being cut deeply by its sharp double edge! 

Please pray for all those who will be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ during the Olympics next month. 

May Christ alone be glorified in all we do, say, and think.